I have a friend who is convinced that I am a Diva. True, he says that I am not like any other DIVA (yes, it simply must be in caps - mustn't it?) he has ever met. Still that moniker stays with me -- at least in his eyes. Now "diva" can be taken in many ways. I asked Google and of course came up with many definitions, some not fitting at ALL and some that I hope I don't portray. So Imma gonna go with this one,

" : a famous and successful woman who is very attractive and fashionable; especially : an attractive and successful female performer or celebrity".

This is me, relaxing between builds in so-not-a-Diva attire. I AM however very comfortable in jeans and boots. The cinder block shelves and beanbag are from Sway's at a new event, Lost and Found. Stroll the streets and see all the goodies -- and there are many. This is a very fun way to find new things for your home and wardrobe.

Whether you are snowed in or watching the first signs of Spring beginning to show, there are plenty of great venues to keep you busy before the warmer days begin. Two wintry shopping experiences and one month are featured in this post.

Over at Wayward Winter you can wander the snowy terraced market stalls to find this rounds offerings. The Second Spaces - Winter Nap chaise is among the offerings (see lead photo) with your choice of bleached (shown), noir and cocoa. The super comfy bed weighs in at a mere 2 land impact and includes both single and couples animations with plenty for the guys.

Over at The Seasons Story you can find the MEVA Winter set (necklace, earrings and rings) in iron, black and gold.

And the boots? Well zip on over to Uberand pick up these great Pointed Knee Boots from BAIASTICE. A full variety of luscious colors are available in the high fashion boots.

The detailing is superb and there are versions specially made for many popular mesh bodies as well as standard sized.

Over at ROMP, the 22769 ~ [bauwerk] guys seem to have a handle on it. The on the desk pose is mine, but both chairs and bunks are filled with singles and couples animations in both PG and A varieties. Some fun, top secret documents add to the role play element.

The lamp could be used with many decors; chairs come in a variety of colors.

Outfit: BPd {W attire} My heart goes on: Crazy little thing from Dragon and Elizabet Skyward Designers of Beyond Persuasion design. Non-rigged boots are mesh body friendly. The tank comes with color change hud and there are designs both with and without writing. The almost not there skirt could definitely start an argument between mothers and daughters -- that propriety thing :D.

Hidden Sanctuary Event's Nevermore to Wander Alone is an intimate affair with some memorable offerings. I miss my exited the grid group that featured Gothic, Dark romance and Dark fantasy. That isn't really my thing, but I like to step outside the box now and then. That's good for all of us. So I was happy to have the opportunity to venture over early.

Shown here are some items from the retailers presented.

The minute I saw the De Baza Haunted Watchman I squeed, "filming prop!" This is really beautifully done and includes a small section of snowy hills that you can see in the background. A great photo prop or decor item for you darkly mysterious surrounds, it weighs in at five land impact and has a light that you click on and off.

My formal attire is the EXCLUSIVE Nevermore Gown with Cape from Get Frocked. A bright purple with black lace overlays and extra details, it is a great dancing dress -- or for wandering through cemetaries if you prefer.

The very nicely made Will You Be My Queen Cuffs are from Deadly Angel.

Hair: eXxEsS : BYLINA
Lelutka applier: Tuli Agnes / hex

And for the guys, there is this impressive brocade suit from Serendipity, the Florian Blazer w/Buttoned Shirt & Tie come with matching pants or wear the jacket set with plain black slacks. Very dapper and definitely dangerous.

The Ilicit pose ball set includes places for four. Since I couldn't round up another scantily clad gal and willing guy, this is the LEFT half of the set. You will just have to head on over to ::WetCat::@ ShinyShabby and try out the other version for yourself. There is also a great steamy pose; romance novel cover -- here I come!

My Lolita-style hair is a new release from eXxEsS, BonBon and of course comes in --- (I should really count them but seems like a hundred colors between the two hud options).

Yep, I just counted 56 per hud (oh my!)

And from SLC, Floral Corsets sets. Black is also represented for the more dangerous gals. I am Maitreya hud testing these today (lucky me) but they should be out in the store by the time this posts. The panties can be on one layer with the garters on another -- or pick between the two.

22769 ~ [bauwerk] has a lot of great releases out for this month's round of events. Difficult to choose what to show you, I picked the Old Door Gaderobe set which I spied over at Shiny Shabby earlier in the week.

While I could have plunked myself down on the oh so cute chair in a charming animation, I decided that this layout (JUST as I pulled the various pieces out of the folder) was already perfect. Much like a set up one would use in art class, this was in its own way art.

This is a bit of a variation on a theme from yesterday's post. A different version of Vanity Hair's release for Tres Chic - this one with a side ponytail instead of piggies, "Rustica" --- and the "Molly Set" from Ducknipple. Both come with extensive color and pattern change huds. The options are almost limitless.

The house in the background is a remake of the house I built for myself in the Bayou in 2011 (oh my). That one was fairly impressive for the time, but many years have passed and it was time for a third version. I had a lot of fun with this building. A little angst went along with the baking; not a new scenario really -- Blender is a quirky and picky program and even when I THINK I have it ALL figured out -- well sometimes things just don't work the first, second, third ..... time.

Repetition is good. We learn. Well let's hope so.

I do love the country and both my locale and outfit remind me. All good.

Always great when new releases come together; serendipity at its best. With a huge range of colors and patterns on hat and hair AND dress, I probably could have made a few dozen fun combos. This was so perfect, I didn't look any further.

From Vanity Hair -- Rustic Cozy hair with beanie for Tres Chic. An outstanding beanie that shimmers with each knitted thread. Very impressive. Long long whispy pigtails are not for twelve year olds *wink*.

This super cute all in one top and skirt combo hales from Ducknipple. Lots of fun plaids for the skirts and plains for the just barely covering up the "important parts" top. High over the knee boots are also in the pack. Color change of course.

I really love these new tuxedo pants (***Arisaris-Gara22~Novility Pants). They come with "bravery" jacket (or you could simply wear a top underneath; there IS that - but what's the fun?) and optional long stole.

Really big legs, shiny stripes; perfect for us show off folks.

I chose to cover up a bit with the Baiastice Boho Laces Necklace from awhile back. I always loved it, just didn't find the right paring.

You could of course wear the jacket with jeans and the pants with a tube top or other classic upperware.

Back in the olden days there used to be Come As You Are parties. That may have been before I was of age to attend said parties, but I do remember them. It's been a tough week in SL and a hellish weekend preceding it. As I started to take these photos IMs were coming in with more database issues and people left sans clothes and body parts.

So being a pragmatic gal I decided NOT to change clothes. A flashback of my look of the weekend cemented that idea. So here you have me in one of my favorite and simple off work get ups (credits below).

MEANWHILE, Epiphany just opened and folks are multitasking with game or email in one pane and "the region you are entering is full" message in another. One great reason to keep trying - OR just wait a few days when it is easier to get in - is a big party set from Second Spaces.

Party Drinks is the name of the set and here are a couple of my favorite pieces. The beer dispenser is of course the special points prize. And while I didn't show you, the beer kegs are visible from the back, so perfect for a party setting with folks milling about.

The chair in the top photo is also from Second Spaces but this time from COLLABOR88.

Events are opening daily. Where to go. What to see. Questions. Questions.

Here are a few items highlighting some great spots for shopping.

From Cheeky Pea for The Seasons Story - Winter, part of the bit Easton Set which also includes couch, chair, rug and lamp. I especially love the little planter with tiny hearts dangling on the branches. It's all in the details.

Hairology is back and this Little Steps style from Vanity Hair is definitely a show stopper.

And over at COLLABOR88 all is bright and shiny. These Stories&Co. by Flowey / High Shine Leggins are a great example. There are plenty of great colors to choose from including a solid and very shiny version of the pants. Buy them separately or in a fatpack with hud. Much fun.

Now I haven't been "romping" much of late. I like to "romp", don't get me wrong -- but sometimes it comes with strings or baggage that are less than what I want to deal with. I was going to do a post with a Dream Lover which I thought might be fun, but then I decided it wouldn't be SFW so opted for something a bit more PG. Gotta love those PG folks.

I love the shape of this lounger from Roawenwood, the Tantra Chair. It comes with six single and 27 couples animations. And yes, I hadn't moved through the whole list and yes, I did go back and try some more when I saw that "27" number.

Now these would be SO much more fun with a partner - LOL, so those of you that HAVE one, get over to --- well you KNEW it was Romp, didn't ya and see this chair. It comes with a color hud with various patterns and hues so decor matching isn't an issue.

My saucy lingerie is Sweet Kisses White (other more colorful combos are available) from SLC. These come for legacy avatars as well as Maitreya (woot).

Optional prim bow accents are included.

You can be pretty ethereal and still "romp", ya know. (Yes, this is a fun post.)

Now unless you were born under a magical alignment of stars, you probably haven't been able to get into COLLABOR88 yet. I certainly haven't made it pass the black screen of "too full" yet -- and I really need to give up and get to bed.

But we DO know that EVENTUALLY the crowds will die down a bit and the grayness will subside. When you finally GET THERE, don't miss the Huron Cove Cottage from Trompe Loeil.

It is absolutely charming. I really love the cement steps and rocks -- right at home in any casual country setting.

You will need a fairly good sized lot for this sprawling beauty, but oh what fun times you can have.

Another intriguing release for World Market at TLC, the {Roawenwood} Ashur Furniture Set includes room divider, draped chair, table, rug and decorative plant -- all designed to add something exotic to your environment.

I have traveled in many countries and enjoyed them all. There is something about seeing the world through the eyes of a different culture that gives you a sense of your own place in the cosmos.

A sunny Autumn day is my favorite. And happily it can be any time of the year that pleasures us -- when we are living in a fantasy world.

I donned the new Baiastice Riebe Jacket and Balloon Skirt in buff (a full palette of luscious colors are available) and headed over to Roots where the warm neutrals of the landscape offer a respite from the chills of winter.

Jacket and Skirt are sold separately. Both can be found at COLLABOR88.

It's bound to be both colorful and fun over at Liaison Collaborative this round where the theme is "World Market" (opens at 3pm today).

Here is a mix from Sway's and Atelier Visconti. Both the rug (Sway's) and the pillows on the chair (AV's) have various versions via huds. While I am a neutrals gal most of the time, these bright colors are JUST what we need to brighten our wintry days.

Here's a list of where to look for individual items.

Sway's [Ihina] chest of drawers . tall
Sway's [Ihina] Rug with fringes (also a version without fringe)
Sway's [Ihina] chest of drawers . small
Sway's [Filis] Tulips (not part of the TLC event but a very close version to this favorite from my inventory is still available in the store)

A new group gacha appeared at Pure Poison over the weekend. Sami was a super lucky gal and got the RARE black version. There are plenty of bright and shiny colors to win or buy. Mesh body friendly, pick your body before you play the paid version; all types come in the group gift edition.

Also in the news, a huge (really huge) set of topiary and planters from Trompe Loeil can be found at FaMESHed. The textures on the planters make my mouth water (Well, mesh makers ARE a little odd and we do get excited over lovely baking - what can I say?) Various versions, scripted or not and lots of shapes let you find the perfect styles for your garden or shop.

Most of us have had a few. Maybe a few dozen. Maybe a special one to last a lifetime.

There is something about being part of a twosome - a threesome - a manysome (I am a flexible gal). It let's us see ourselves in the eyes of someone else.

Oftentimes we are too busy banging our heads against the wall, thinking we aren't good enough, pretty enough, smart enough. "The other" doesn't worry about all that, they most often see the good that we fail to recognize.

From Flowey for MIX, Zen Sweatshirt - Lover. A plain version without writing is also available

From eXxEsS - CELINA, long casual and messy tresses. Full range of color huds.

From Cheeky Pea for FaMESHed - :CP: Cassandra Case Table
This pattern is Orla. Many colors and patterns are available. Table only, no pose.

It is Back To The Land time over at The Challenge this month. Some folks did that return to roots thing long ago, others never left their home counties. Either way, FARM is the theme for February.

With a huge selection of new releases, I decided that rather than give you a drum-roll of photos, I would send you over to the website where you can see all there is to see and get the SLURLS too!

It should be noted that this is ROUND 36 for The Challenge. Three years! Way to go designers.

This is the Makeshift Sink from %Percent -- and yes, it definitely brings back memories. There was a time we were late to a party because it took SO long to bathe with merely a waterbath canner as the "tub" (yep, that IS a true story -- and a fun one).

So get a little dirt under your fingernails, plant some veggies, take care of the chickens, enjoy the loveliness of nature. FARM!!!!